1. In the manifold wisdom of God, as the Apostle stileth it, Eph. 3. 10. This is1 manifested in ordering the government of his Church, according to the state and condition thereof. For
1. In mans entire estate, when he was made perfect, God made with him a covenant of works.
⟨p. 264⟩2. After mans fall, when the Church was in the infancy of it, God ordered it, as best befitted that estate.
3. In the child-hood of it, he gave his people such external ordinances, as were most convenient for them.
4. In the riper age of it, he fully revealed his whole will, and gave them ordinances more spiritual.
5. When the Church shall come fully to be complete, and more perfect then at the first, there shall be no Sun, no Moon, no Temple, no external ordinances, Rev. 21. 22, 23.
2. In the increase of Gods goodness. This is herein manifested, that all the2 changes of Gods covenant were ever to the better. The covenant of Grace was better then the covenant of works. The new covenant better then the old.
At first, when all were in one family: yea, and afterwards when there were many distinct Families, the first-born was both a Governor, and also an Instructor of the whole Family, Gen. 4. 7. and 18. 19.
When the Church increased into a Nation, God set apart the twelfth part, namely one tribe of twelve, to be ordinary Ministers therein, Numb. 3. 12.
When the Church stood in need of other Ministers, God raised up extraordinary Prophets, and endowed them with an extraordinary Spirit.
When the time of the Gospel approached, God raised up a Minister, even […] the Baptist, who was greater then any before him, Matth. 11. 11.
After Christs ascension, he gave Apostles, Prophets and Evangelists, who did not only most clearly make known the whole counsel of God to the Church that was in their days, but also left it on record, for the benefit of all Churches after them to the end of the world.
3. In the greater degree of glory, which the souls of Saints departed under the3 new covenant have, then they who departed under the old. For although all went to the same place of glory: yet they under the old wanted the fruition of Christ as God-man. This addeth much to our glory, Luk. 23. 43. Phil. 1. 23. 2 Cor. 5. 8.
1. In the manifold wisdome of God, as the Apostle stileth it, Eph. 3. 10. This is1 manifested in ordering the government of his Church, according to the state and condition thereof. For
1. In mans entire estate, when he was made perfect, God made with him a covenant of works.
⟨p. 264⟩2. After mans fall, when the Church was in the infancy of it, God ordered it, as best befitted that estate.
3. In the child-hood of it, he gave his people such externall ordinances, as were most convenient for them.
4. In the riper age of it, he fully revealed his whole will, and gave them ordinances more spirituall.
5. When the Church shall come fully to be compleat, and more perf•ct then at the first, there shall be no Sun, no Moon, no Temple, no externall ordinances, Rev. 21. 22, 23.
2. In the encrease of Gods goodnesse. This is herein manifested, that all the2 changes of Gods covenant were ever to the better. The covenant of Grace was better then the covenant of works. The new covenant better then the old.
At first, when all were in one family: yea, and afterwards when there were many distinct Families, the first-born was both a Governor, and also an Iustructor of the whole Family, Gen. 4. 7. and 18. 19.
When the Church encreased into a Nation, God set apart the twelfth part, namely one tribe of twelve, to be ordinary Ministers therein, Numb. 3. 12.
When the Church stood in need of other Ministers, God raised up extraordinary Prophets, and endewed them with an extraordinary Spirit.
When the time of the Gospell approached, God raised up a Minister, even 〈…〉 the Baptist, who was greater then any before him, Matth. 11. 11.
After Christs ascension, he gave Apostles, Prophets and Evangelists, who did not only most clearly make known the whole counsell of God to the Church that was in their dayes, but also left it on record, for the benefit of all Churches after them to the end of the world.
3. In the greater degree of glory, which the soules of Saints departed under the
- 1Gods manisold wisdom.
- 2Increase of Gods goodness.Encrease of Gods goodnesse.
- 3Saints under the new covenant advanced to greater glory.
